Overnighting Other than Wal-Mart

[djbmsu]

Stayed at many different places, Cracker Barrels, Wally Mart, Casino's, Lowes, Home Depot, Flying J, Malls that are not posted, Welcome Centers, but never in a rest area. Far too many semi's commin and going.

[TXiceman]

We use campgrounds. Parking lots were not meant for camping.

ken

[bsirby]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We use campgrounds. Parking lots were not meant for camping.

ken

I agree! I don't like boondocking to begin with. And you can't build a fire in the parking lot of a WalMart.

[Dr4Film]

When on the road traveling from one major destination to another, I seldom use RV Parks or campgrounds unless I need a break from driving everyday and catch up on our laundry, etc.

I will use anything and everything that is free, safe and secure including WalMart's, large parking lots, church parking lots, shopping mall parking lots, Cablela's, Camping World, Lowe's, Home Depot, fueling stations with large parking lots, Gander Mountain, K-Mart, Rest Area's, large pull-offs, food store parking lots, etc.

I always attempt to ask permission and will shop at the store if possible. If I am asked to leave which I have been a few times, I always put the slides in and find another spot. I never argue about whether I am allowed to stay there or not. There are too many other places available to cause any commotion.

I have traveled over 20,000 miles the last 2 years and I have never had any significant problems with finding a place to sleep for the night.

My rig is 72 feet long so I am particular about places I can stop. They have to be easy in and out.

BTW, for those people that stated parking lots are not for camping, you're right,. That's why you are not suppose to set up camp but only use it for the night and get back on the road early in the morning.

I have a big problem with people that set up camp for a few days. They are the ones making it difficult for us travelers by taking advantage of a good situation. if I see people like that I confront them if I can to see why they are camped out there instead of a campground.

Once I am at my destination, I always have reservations for something usually on a monthly basis as that is the most cost effective.

I am presently at the Susitna Elementary School in Anchorage AK for 2 months with free electric, water and pump-out service. The middle of July I move up to Riverview RV Park for 2 months in Fairbanks.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[kat_nda_sand]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We use campgrounds. Parking lots were not meant for camping.

ken

Originally Posted by bsirby

I agree! I don't like boondocking to begin with. And you can't build a fire in the parking lot of a WalMart.

See and to me "campgrounds" are glorified parking lots! A campground to me doesn't come with a cement slab, lot # and pre-made fire pit. Camping is rounding up the group (meaning we park so that our group makes somewhat of a circle) and digging your fire pit (in the middle of the circle) in the dirt or sand that your motorhome is parked on.

Isn't it amazingly great how different people with different experiences have different opinions. There would be no progress if we all thought alike all of the time.

[Mr Nifty]

I've used church parking lots before. With permission.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by kat_nda_sand

See and to me "campgrounds" are glorified parking lots! A campground to me doesn't come with a cement slab, lot # and pre-made fire pit. Camping is rounding up the group (meaning we park so that our group makes somewhat of a circle) and digging your fire pit (in the middle of the circle) in the dirt or sand that your motorhome is parked on.

Isn't it amazingly great how different people with different experiences have different opinions. There would be no progress if we all thought alike all of the time.

I do not like the campgrounds that look like a parking lot.....we avoid them.

Ken

[Madrona]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

We use campgrounds. Parking lots were not meant for camping.

ken

Originally Posted by bsirby

I agree! I don't like boondocking to begin with. And you can't build a fire in the parking lot of a WalMart.

The title of the thread includes "Overnighting." This is not about camping or campgrounds. This is about telling us about unusual places you have spent the night, other than WM.

I think about 3-4 times each year, the small town of Packwood, WA has a Flea Market. People come from all over for this huge event. Sellers line both sides of the highway that goes right thru town. It has to be at least a half-mile long. As usual, we didn't have any particular place in mind to stay. We were in our motorhome with no toad. I turned on a small side road, right from the middle of town and drove a couple blocks. We came to a bridge going over the river. I stopped and looked around a little and decided I could drive off the road and down under that bridge and spend the night along that river. Sure enough, it worked out great! We spent two nights down there, about 100 feet from the bridge. We had trees, river sounds, sun and shade. We were mostly all alone but a few people came by walking their dogs. The walk to town for the sales was easy and short. It is one of our better memories.

Do you have any memories or experiences, good or bad, like this to share?

[Madrona]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

When on the road traveling from one major destination to another, I seldom use RV Parks or campgrounds unless I need a break from driving everyday and catch up on our laundry, etc.

I will use anything and everything that is free, safe and secure including WalMart's, large parking lots, church parking lots, shopping mall parking lots, Cablela's, Camping World, Lowe's, Home Depot, fueling stations with large parking lots, Gander Mountain, K-Mart, Rest Area's, large pull-offs, food store parking lots, etc.

I always attempt to ask permission and will shop at the store if possible. If I am asked to leave which I have been a few times, I always put the slides in and find another spot. I never argue about whether I am allowed to stay there or not. There are too many other places available to cause any commotion.

I have traveled over 20,000 miles the last 2 years and I have never had any significant problems with finding a place to sleep for the night.

My rig is 72 feet long so I am particular about places I can stop. They have to be easy in and out.

<snip>

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Excellent story, thanks for sharing. I too, have been asked to leave a couple spots. Once when a security guard at WM in Portland Oregon told me I couldn't spend the night there, he also suggested staying right next door at a large parking lot of a building that had gone out of business. I did and during dinner, the security guard for THAT lot told me I couldn't park there, either! We finished our dinner and moved on. Found a Safeway store that agreed to let us spend the night. There are plenty of opportunities if you just look around.

[Madrona]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I do not like the campgrounds that look like a parking lot.....we avoid them.

Ken

Amen, brother!

[melvonnar]

I find it rather odd that those that say they would never boondock with out hook ups and prefer to stay in campgrounds with full hook ups; are the one that say the just want to get out and enjoy peace and quite.
staying in a privet campground that has you parked 30 feet from your neighbor; not me.
I would rather stay at walmart

[mythplaced]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I do not like the campgrounds that look like a parking lot.....we avoid them.

Ken

X3!!!

[Madrona]

Originally Posted by melvonnar

I find it rather odd that those that say they would never boondock with out hook ups and prefer to stay in campgrounds with full hook ups; are the one that say the just want to get out and enjoy peace and quite.
staying in a privet campground that has you parked 30 feet from your neighbor; not me.
I would rather stay at walmart

YESSS! I couldn't agree more. Now, if the objective is to stay somewhere for more than a couple days, SOME campgrounds might be OK. Forest Service campgrounds come to mind because they are usually well treed and at least semi-private. But if you're just travelling from one place to the next, WM or some other out of the way spot is far superior. It's also difficult to understand why someone spends thousands of dollars to purchase a self-contained vehicle and then only uses it with full-hookups! I just don't get it.

[kat_nda_sand]

Its so they can sit inside reading a book or watching a movie (or TV) with the A/C blowing... you know, enjoying the wilderness.